On Monday, the Washington Capitals broke out a special surprise for the seventh day of Hanukkah. Before their game against the Ottawa Senators, Santa Claus sung the national anthems. In sonorous tones reminiscent of Bob McDonald, Santa, who was definitely not Bob McDonald, belted out “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “O Canada” to the hundreds of fans in attendance, who cheered with bewilderment and amusement.

]]>http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2014/12/22/santa-clause-sang-the-national-anthem-tonight-and-killed-it/feed/4Singer Falls Spectacularly During Canadian Anthem, Crowd Does the Most Canadian Thing in Responsehttp://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2014/10/04/singer-falls-spectacularly-during-canadian-anthem-crowd-does-the-most-canadian-thing-in-response/
http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2014/10/04/singer-falls-spectacularly-during-canadian-anthem-crowd-does-the-most-canadian-thing-in-response/#commentsSat, 04 Oct 2014 16:46:21 +0000http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/?p=71646

There is debate about what was the worst moment in Canadian history. Some say it was the Halifax Explosion of 1917 that killed an estimated 2000 people. More say it was when Michael J Fox left Edmonton to come to the States in 1979. I’d have been in that second camp, but this moment from Friday’s Penticton Vees game in BC might change my mind.

Or at least it would have, until that dang neighborly Canadian crowd saved the day.

Anthem singer Mark Donnelly chose to skate, gaudily, along the ice while singing “O Canada.” Donnelly was part of the way through a rousing rendition of the national anthem when he failed to notice the red carpet crossing center ice.

This is perhaps something the spotlight guys could have seen coming.

Donnelly did a faceplant, lost a beat, and then.. KEPT ON SINGING! Back on his feet, Donnelly held his mic to the crowd and they finished the dang song for him.

We’re excited to announce that the one and only Bob McDonald – star of stage and screen, part-time wine snob and certified American hero – will be kicking off the festivities with his beloved rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner,” a.k.a. our national anthem, promptly at 10 a.m.

If you haven’t heard of Bob McDonald, you need to attend more Caps games. He’s been singing the anthem(s) before homes games since the 1992-1993 season, which is before Chris Gordon was born! He has also performed the anthem at Wizards, Mystics, Nationals, Orioles, and Redskins games. Oh yeah and he sings for U.S. presidents and foreign heads of state too. NBD.

In a past life, Bob joined luminaries including George McPhee, Craig Laughlin, and Bill McCreary in knighting Sir Ryan of Knubleshire – and we’re honored that he’s agreed to get the #PARTYZORD started right.

For more information on #PARTYZORD, check out the Facebook event. (A Facebook account is not required to view the event.) While you’re there, give us an RSVP so we know to expect you. And keep an eye out for more exciting announcements in the next few days!

Not everyone loves it when Orioles fans cheer “O!” during the National Anthem at Verizon Center. Such as Nats fans and The Washington Post’s Mike Wise (just search for the words “tainted gene pool”). Also sharing that sentiment are these Cubs fans at Wrigley Field, who first were confused, then outraged by the shouting.

In total, 33,761 fans came out to the park today, many of which were O’s fans, such as the guy wearing a Natty Boh shirt who caught Nelson Cruz’s home run and refused to throw the ball back. Pretty cool.

]]>http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2014/08/22/just-like-you-cubs-fans-annoyed-by-orioles-fans-yelling-o-during-national-anthem/feed/19Habs Fans Boo National Anthem. How Will Caps Fans Respond?http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2010/04/19/habs-fans-boo-national-anthem-how-will-caps-fans-respond/
http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2010/04/19/habs-fans-boo-national-anthem-how-will-caps-fans-respond/#commentsTue, 20 Apr 2010 03:18:22 +0000http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/?p=3534Tonight’s exhilarating win in Montreal was marred by some nonsense. A small, but vocal segment of the Canadiens fan base took it upon themselves to boo the Star-Spangled Banner (also here and here). No one asked the booing throng for their finer details of their political ideology, but it’s safe to say that a seed of anti-American sentiment blossoms in Montreal.

Regardless of the outcome on Wednesday night, this quarterfinal playoff series will soon return to Washington, D.C., and there we will have a choice. Will the Phone Booth return fire, booing “O Canada” from start to finish, or will they take the high road?

I have a feeling the Caps fans in attendance on Friday will do the right thing. They might even follow the example of the much-loathed Boston Bruins fans, who faced the exact same situation a few years ago.

Behold:

Seriously stirring stuff.

I’ve seen the Verizon Center applaud the armed forces until their palms stung red. I’ve seen them salute their players even in miserable defeat. I know the caliber of these fans’ character, and I know they’ll do the right thing on Friday.